Tom O'Dwyer      

Tom O'Dwyer was an orthodox slow left-armer who played for Western Australia immediately after WW2 just as they were admitted to the Sheffield Shield. A year after his debut he was one of the side which won the tournament in WA's first season, with O'Dwyer starring in the decider against Queensland at Brisbane, scoring 46 and 11 not out batting at No. 7 and taking 7 for 79 (his career best) and 2 for 46.

He was a serious contender for inclusion in the Invincibles side to tour England in 1948 - Arthur Morris said he was the best bowler of his type in the country. He missed out to Colin McCool, although he consoled himself with 5 for 47 and 3 for 56 in his state's first home match in the competition that season. When the tourists stopped in Perth on the way to England and O'Dwyer took Don Bradman's wicket, as well as that of McCool.

He played little after that, turning out four times the following season, although he did make an unexpected - and unsuccessful - two-match comeback aged 41 after a nine-year absence in 1959-60. He later coached and umpired in club cricket.

A devoute Catholic, he was an insurance by profession but listed cricket and singing as his two loves, so much so that he was nicknamed as the Bowling Baritone. "I thank God I was born pre-television," he said. "The family used to gather around the piano and sing for an hour or so before going to bed."
Martin Williamson